Jet Provost T.4 XR647 near Norton le Clay.
On 7th May 1973 at least two Jet Provosts from No.6 Flying Training School, based at Finningley, were undertaking a training exercise over North Yorkshire when they collided over the Dishforth area on part of the flight between Leeming and Finningley.
The pilot of one, Jet Provost XS216, was able to regain control and landed safely. The pilot of the other, Jet Provost XR647, lost control so the crew ejected and landed safely. Unfortunately the empty aircraft crashed close to a tractor that was moving sheep feeding troughs near Broom Close Farm, Norton le Clay and the momemtum of the wreckage struck and killed two farm workers. Both men were next door neighbours. Another farm worker was on another tractor in an adjacent field and while wreckage came down all around him he escaped injury.
Instructor Pilot - F/Lt M G Saunders RAF (Probably F/Lt Michael George Saunders RAF (687753)).
Trainee Navigator - F/Lt Wayne Durham RAF (5201930).
Civilian - Mr Walter Winston Brown, aged 38. Burial location unknown.
Civilian - Mr Ernest William Mawer, aged 23. Burial location unknown.
Civilian - Mr Ray Finch. Uninjured.
The funeral for Mr Mawer was held at Kirby Hill Church while the funeral for Mr Brown was held at St.Margaret's at Preston under Scar, Leyburn. Their burial locations are currently unknown.
saunders with 35 sqn in 1968 flying shackletons